Do Not Complain About Your Nanny Family or Post Photos of Nanny Family or their Home Online

Asking for general advice about child care, child development, contract negotiations, and general nanny job issues on Facebook nanny groups or social media can be very helpful. But be careful about venting or complaining about the people you work or care for anywhere online. You may know a few people in social media groups, but […]

Importance of Last Impressions for Nannies and Parents

Respecting Professional Boundaries Years ago Sue Downey of Nannypalooza wrote “Taking the High Road When Leaving a Nanny Job” I published on my web site. She explains nannies should remain professional and give proper notice at their job because the last impression nannies make when leaving a job will be the memories parents remember most […]

How Nannies Should Respond When Someone Asks, “When Are You Going to Get a Real Job?”

“Find something you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” — Harvey MacKay After working as a nanny for 25 years I know all to well that much of our society does not value nannies. As with most jobs in childcare in the United States, nannies are often undervalued. The […]

I am a Nanny, Not a Marriage Counselor

Parents: Don’t Complain About Your Spouse to Household Staff There is nothing more uncomfortable for a nanny then to hear a parent employer complain to them about their significant other. All marriages have ups and downs. All couples argue and annoy one another once in awhile. And even when parents don’t openly air their grievances […]

Be Humble and Stop Bashing Your Employers

Keeping a Humility Checklist Your attitude directly affects your job performance. Although you can’t be expected to enjoy all of your job duties, when you find yourself complaining to yourself or others about your job, it’s good to remember it is better to be employed than not. Whenever you find yourself complaining or resentful about your […]

Reduce Stress by Not Overreacting

Nannies Help Reduce Parental and Child Stress When adults are stressed-out, the kids in their care get stressed-out. Raising a family is stressful. When nannies help parents, they help reduce both their employer’s and their charges’ stress levels. Stress in children can be detrimental to a child’s health and development. The body reacts to stressful […]

Nannies and Kids Need the Parents’ Help with Homework

Nanny Confessions: I Need the Parents to Help with Homework Too Obviously when working as a nanny I must ensure that the kids in my care do their homework. But, I confess I resent it if I am the only adult helping the kids with their homework. I confess that I need the parents support and […]

Hurry Sickness, Time Stress and Rushaholics

Nanny Confessions: Relaxing the Grip on Time I confess, when working as a nanny I often feel like there isn’t enough time in the day to do all I need do at my job. But, it isn’t healthy for me, or the kids I care for, to be burdened by time pressure. Being around tense […]

Parents are Doing the Best They Can

Nanny Confessions One of the best lessons I have learned working as a nanny is that I have never met a parent that doesn’t love their children and that all parents are doing the best they can. I confess that over the years I have disagreed with a lot of the choices parents who have […]

Never Be Condescending to Your Boss

Nanny Confessions: Keep Your Attitude in Check I confess, working as a nanny for 20-years I have developed some pretty strong opinions about how to raise children. I have a point of view on the best way to get infants on a sleep schedule, how to potty train them, and a preferred philosophy about disciplining […]